Panhandlers have flooded the streets of American cities. These cities range from rural to urban. 564,708 people in the U.S. are homeless. According to a one night national survey conducted January 2017, over half a million people were living on the street, in cars, in homeless shelters or in subsidized transitional housing. Since we are required by Jesus to feed them, should we only feed them naturally or should we feed them with the knowledge necessary to provide for themselves? Was it Jesus’ intention that we permanently care for them? I believe Jesus would want us to first discover if they want to be made whole.
There are some panhandlers who exploit the church for their on personal advancement. This advancement will sometimes feed a habit and work on the mind of vulnerable people. Most panhandlers do not desire to work or they use God for their convenience. This is a crisis that both the church and community must engage. Peter, in Acts chapter three, faced this same dilemma. A panhandler presented himself to Peter as he was leaving church and as usual, asked for a handout. He asked for just enough to get by.
Most panhandlers only want enough to get by. This mentality will contribute to that person remaining in the cycle of poverty and begging. Peter informed the man, “silver and gold have I none”( Acts 3:6). Peter could have provided what the man was requesting. However, the principal was that the panhandler didn't need it. Peter says to the man, “such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). A revolutionist was on the apex of birthing through this act of transformation. Peter unshackled the panhandler resulting in a constant cycle being terminated. Like Peter, our focus should be on unshackling panhandlers. The misconception that the church doesn't help the homeless must be dispelled. Most small churches do not have the resources to help. Churches play a vital role in the lives of people and that role should be to educate, empower and enlighten.
In most communities barriers are erected making it impossible for the church to assist. Pastors around the country are being arrested because of this matter. In Florida, a homeless advocate by the name of Arnold Abbot and ministers Dwayne Black and Mark Sims, were arrested as they handed out food to homeless people in a Fort Lauderdale park. This is one of many episodes of modern day church abuse and persecution. The charge of “failing to assist” has been leveled against the church and its leaders. This charge has caused the church and its leaders to suffer under a false pretense by those who are the enemies of Christ. Most people have no idea what the church does for its people.
If leaders would disclose certain aspects of what they do, critics would have a better understanding. The church has not always done everything right. Yet the foundation of the church is legitimate and authentic. I call on the defenders of the faith to refute through truth every false narrative that is causing the church to be defaced and debased. Unlike others, I applauded the actions of President George W. Bush who established the Faith-Based Initiative. It is the faith-based community that is in the trenches. We are on the front lines. We are the boots on the ground reviving, restoring and resuscitating.
New York Mayor, Bill De Blasio, said on a radio show that he would like to ban panhandling but would not try because the courts would not allow it. Many panhandlers "are not particularly in need and just are finding a way to get some easy money and that does frustrate me,” he said. These are also my sentiments. I have watched panhandlers beg for money and use that money to purchase beer, cigarettes, drugs or engage in prostitution. Is the church contributing to this deficit? Absolutely not! The best position for the church is to teach them how to fish so they will never be hungry again. Bishop T. D. Jakes once stated, "If you take the gross national income of all the churches in America; if we didn't pay the mortgage, if we didn't pay the staff, if we didn't pay the light bill and took all of our money and gave it all away to the poor and become homeless to feed them, we still don't have the money.” Bishop Jakes was highlighting the role of the church and the government to care for the needy. The church cannot lose its compassion. Compassion is the core of our Christian values. Aa highlighted in 1 John 3:17, “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion--how can God's love be in that person?” (NLT)
